Annual events spread holiday cheer

TEMECULA -- The countdown to Christmas continues as the week
wraps up with holiday trees, a parade and a tribute.

The city is all set tonight to light its official tree at the
Duck Pond. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the
corner of Rancho California and Ynez roads when officials
illuminate about 600 many-colored lights on a living tree.

Last year, the city went through the same process as everyone
else who wants a live tree -- find the absolute most perfect one
for the spot where it would be placed. It was hard to find one that
fit the specifications and would thrive in this climate, Zigler
said, but finally officials located one at a nursery in Hemet. The
year-around tree was planted when the pond was rehabbed. Last year,
it took 400 lights to get the job done, but more will be added this
year to accommodate the tree's growth.

"We don't put lights on the tree itself," said Gail Zigler of
the Community Services Department. "We build a tree frame with
lights on it."

The city's maintenance staff does all the hard work, she said,
so tonight all that's left to do is plug it in. Simultaneous with
the lighting at the pond, a living tree will be lit at Sam Hicks
Park, the site of the city's first and second official
tree-lighting ceremonies, Zigler said. It, too, will have hundreds
of lights and a red bow.

Adding to the festivities will be a performance by 22 members of
the Sun Ridge Community Church choir. The lighting on both trees
will remain until the week after New Year's Day.

There have been changes this year for the city's annual holiday
parade, most importantly its name. Separate this year from the
tree-lighting, the Temecula Electric Light Parade, as it's now
called, steps off Friday at 7 p.m. The event changed names to
reflect the location and to make allowances for military bands that
were barred by policy from participating because the parade
formerly had the name Santa in the title, said Julie Pelletier, the
city's recreation superintendent.

"We couldn't get military bands because they won't march in
Christmas parades, just holiday parades," she said.

The event remains a competition, however, and entries will be
judges on originality, theme, presentation and, of course, use of
lights. There are several categories, each with a first through
third prize.

This year, the Marine Corps Band from Twentynine Palms will be
participating, as well as school bands from Temecula Valley and
Murrieta Valley high schools, Thompson, Shivela Middle and Calvary
Chapel. A couple of Polynesian dance groups are expected, although
it's going to be a bit chilly for them, Pelletier said. Mayors pro
tem from Temecula and Murrieta, as well as Rep. Dennis
Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, will be on hand, along with a marching
group with 450 members called the Riverside Young Californians.
Expect to see the Inland Jeep Freaks cruise by, the Black Sheep
Motorcycle Club, the Temecula Rodeo Queens and an equestrian entry
from employees at the J.C. Penney hair salon.

The parade doesn't have an overall theme, but the city has
adopted the slogan "Peace On Earth," Pelletier said. Lots of
patriotic entries are expected this year, she said. Two sets of
announcers will do commentary, one near McDonald's and one near
Sizzler's restaurant.

The route begins at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Del Rio
and heads north on Jefferson and ends at Overland Drive. Del Rio,
Calle Cortez, Las Haciendas, Via Montezuma and Commerce Center will
be closed to traffic at 5 p.m. when the staging begins. Jefferson
and Overland will close at about 6:15 p.m. Pelletier suggested
drivers might try Diaz Road as an alternate route. The event will
end at about 9:30 p.m. Spectators should bring blankets and wear
warm clothing, officials said.

Wrapping up the weekend's festivities is the second annual
Community Candlelight Tribute that will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday in
the plaza at The Promenade mall on Winchester Road. This year's
theme is "Remembering Those We've Loved and Lost." Special tribute
will be paid to the local Police and Fire departments. Donations of
nonperishable food items for the Temecula and Murrieta pantries are
requested. Among the participants will be Rick Mossa and Brian
Bell, chaplains of the Temecula and Murrieta police departments
respectively, as well as the police and fire chiefs of both cities.
Music will be provided by Timmy D. Productions, and the children's
choirs from Van Avery Prep and Gateway Nazarene schools.

For information about the candlelight tribute, call Brenda at
304-2489.